Monday, March 14, 2011

Classics: Farscape 1:18 - A Bug's Life

Alien possession has been done in sci-fi many times before, but this is a pretty good spin on the concept primarily because the writers spend some time investing the principal guest character with an identifiable - and sympathetic - personality. Because Aeryn spends the early half of the episode chatting with Larraq about their lives as Peacekeepers - because we see them growing somewhat close - Larraq's stabbing Aeryn while under the influence of the intellant virus has more of an impact.

Of course, as I stated in my summary comment, this episode is important mainly because it leads us right into the Nerve/The Hidden Memory couplet. It informs us that the PK Science Military has built a Gammak base out in the UT's for some mysterious reason, and it implies that whoever is in charge of that Gammak base has an interest in weapons of mass destruction. Moreover, as we will see next week, Aeryn's critical injury in the climax will touch off a medical crisis that will completely scuttle Crichton's plan to avoid said Gammak base. And as all knowledgeable fans of Farscape know, Crichton + Gammak Base = Some Serious Frelling Dren.

And that's about all I have to say this time, I'm afraid. I promise I'll be more verbose next week when we hit the really good stuff.

Writing: 8.0

Some nice characterization makes this script a better-than-average actioner.

Acting: 8.0

The performances are also solid. I found Crichton's possession in particular especially chilling. Nice job, Browder!

Message: 6.0

This one's focused primarily on the hunt for the intellant virus, so there's no real message to speak of.